{"id":15870,"date":"2020-09-08T15:25:23","date_gmt":"2020-09-08T14:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/opa.org.uk\/?p=15870"},"modified":"2021-01-21T15:27:04","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T15:27:04","slug":"what-is-water-brash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opa-old.voidappsdev.uk\/?p=15870","title":{"rendered":"What is water brash?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

People with gastroesophageal reflux disease may experience a symptom called water brash. Water brash occurs when a person produces an excessive amount of saliva that mixes with stomach acids that have risen to the throat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A person experiencing water brash can get a bad taste in their mouth and feel\u00a0heartburn<\/a>. Doctors sometimes refer to water brash as pyrosis idiopathica, acid brash, or hypersalivation.<\/p>\n

Water brash is different than regurgitation \u2014 in which a mixture of stomach acids and, sometimes, undigested food comes up into the oesophagus (food pipe) \u2014 due to the excessive salivation that it involves.<\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn more about water brash, including the associated symptoms, possible causes, and treatment options.<\/p>\n

<\/a>What is water brash?<\/h2>\n

Water brash is a typical symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD<\/a>).<\/p>\n

GORD is a common condition of the digestive system. According to experts, the prevalence of GORD is\u00a0increasing<\/a>\u00a0in many developing countries.<\/p>\n

GORD symptoms, including water brash, may have a significant effect on work productivity and many other aspects of day-to-day life.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Symptoms<\/h2>\n

In people with water brash, the salivary glands tend to produce too much saliva. The excess saliva can combine with stomach acids and cause heartburn. People describe heartburn as a burning sensation behind their chest bone. Sometimes, a person may also get a sour taste in their mouth.<\/p>\n

Regurgitation is a more common symptom of GORD than water brash.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Causes<\/h2>\n

GORD symptoms occur because the normal mechanisms that prevent stomach acid from rising into the oesophagus fail to function correctly. In many cases, this is because the lower esophageal sphincter is not working properly.<\/p>\n

Another mechanism that can fail is the function of the phrenico-esophageal ligament. This ligament, which attaches the oesophagus to the diaphragm, affects the movements of these structures during swallowing. If the ligament weakens, people can experience symptoms of GORD, including water brash.<\/p>\n

Research<\/a>\u00a0suggests that people with GORD may produce excess saliva due to the presence of acid in the oesophagus, which activates the oesophagosalivary reflex.<\/p>\n

To test this theory, researchers administered either saline solution or an acid solution into the oesophagus of 15 volunteers. They noticed an increase in the production of saliva in response to the acid.<\/p>\n

Saliva is less acidic than the contents of the stomach. Therefore, the increased production of saliva that occurs with water brash may help reduce the acidity of the stomach contents.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Treatment<\/h2>\n

People can try to manage their GORD symptoms, including water brash, with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. A local pharmacist or another healthcare professional can offer them advice on the best treatment.<\/p>\n

If the symptoms are severe or last longer than 2 weeks, a person should consult a doctor. Some people may need a referral to a gastroenterologist.<\/p>\n

The treatment for GORD will often help provide relief from water brash. The goals when treating GORD include:<\/p>\n